Process and apparatus for inspecting containers



10, 1967 I F. M. BROWN ETAL 3,3 2 w PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTINGCONTAINERS Filegl April 19, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN 'TORS FEAA/KM Emu M JEA/V .4. 81/270 14 JAMES L. FAEMEE, Hon 42o F: IPMEN m I 0&4 i

Oct. 10, 1967 F. M. BROWN ETAL 3,346,112

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS Filed April 19, 1966 12Sheets-Sheet 2 flllllll ll ItIEll.IflltInlllLlllIlllIlAllllLILINVENTORS' FRANK M EEOWM (154/! A. 80270- JAMES L. FARMER, l/OWJPD EIPMEA/ I Oct. 10, 19 67. F. BROWN ETAL PROCESS AND APPARATUS FORINSPECTING CONTAINERS Filed April 19, 1966 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 HHUI HIIIwil mlh'.

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lllllll INVENTORS' E 584M? M 820W, -E": JEAN ,4. 5112mm,

JAMES L. FAEMEE HOW40 E led/EA! Oct. 10, 1967 "F. M. BROWN ETAL3,346,112

PROCESS AND APPARATUS F-ORINSPECTING' CONTAINERS Filed April 19, 1956'12' Shets-Sheeg e' ATIOZNEK? Oct.

Filed J41 Ila 14; Hill! April 19, 1966 F. M. BROWN ETAL PROCESS ANDAPPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 Q]!!! 145' 159 i1JIM. ED "Hill'- 139a: 14% 158a F h N lmmllh.

INVENIORS' Fem/K M. 520w, an 4. 5027044 M44455 412124156 Hon 420 x.-xeuew Oct. 10, 1967 F. M. BROWN ETAL Y 3, 6,

PROCESS AND APPARATU$ FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS Filed April 19, 1966 12Sheets-Sheet 8 7 123 52 l 16' 53 51 11b 46 I I INVENTORS' rj FEM/z M820M414 JEAN A. BURTON x/AME-S L. memsz HOMED E lPMfA/ m M M Ocf- 1967F. M B-ROWN ETAL ,3

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS Filed April 19, 1966 12Sheets-Sheet 9 I g .nllll w Oct. 10 1 Filed pril 1 PROCESS AND APPARATUSFOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS l2 sheet s 152. In 5' i s "um v P M I i v ("I,II n"" 205 m|l||.,. #25 MINIMUM.

IN VENT0R FRANK M Bean/M dEA/V A. sum JAMES 4. 54 HOWARD ,q E

Oct. 10, 1967 F. M. BROWN ETAL 3,346,112

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS I Filed April 19, 196612 Sheets-Sheet 12 IN VEN TORS FRANK M BEOWM JEAN 44. 502mm, JAMES L.542/4459,

r. 24 I I I l/oMeD E /PM[{V United States Patent 3,346,112 PROCESS ANDAPPARATUS FOR INSPECTING CONTAINERS Frank M. Brown and Jean A. Burton,Austin, James L. Farmer and Howard F. Irmen, Minneapolis, Minn.,assignors to Geo. A. Hormel & Company, Austin, Minn., a corporation ofDelaware Filed Apr. 19, 1966, Ser. No. 543,702 Claims. (Cl. 209-75)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for mechanicallyinspecting the bead of a sealed vacuum-packed container for damagethereto and measuring the width of the container to determine if thecontents therein were packed under sufficient vacuum. A conveyor formoving the container through a first inspection zone wherein the uppersurface of the bead is engaged and sensed by a first mechanical sensingdevice to determine damage thereto, and a second inspection zone whereinthe outer marginal portion of the bead is engaged and mechanicallysensed by a second sensing device to determine damage to the bead. Arevolvable turret having inspection cells therein each including camsengaging the sides of the container at the zone wherein the greatestconcavity occurs to measure and determine if the desired minimumpredetermined vacuum exists within the container. Impeller means forremoving cans or containers having defective beads and ejecting meansfor ejecting cans in which the contents thereof were packed underinsufficient vacuum.

This invention relates to a continuous high capacity containing sealedreceptacles to determine if the content of the receptacles were properlypacked therein and also to determine the presence of damage to thereceptacle. This application is a continuation-in-part application ofco-pending application Ser. No. 315,247.

An object of this invention is to provide a continuous high capacitymethod and apparatus for sequentially inspecting a sealed receptaclecontaining a vacuum packed product, preferably food stuffs, to determineif the contents of the receptacle were packed under suflicient vacuum,and to determine the presence of any damage to the bead of thereceptacle, with provision being made to automatically rejectunacceptable receptacles.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide a novel methodand apparatus for use in inspecting vacuum packed receptacles such asthose containing process meat products, and is therefore especiallyadapted for use in a production line operation in meat packing plants,the re-' ceptacles being inspected not only to determine if the productwas packed therein under a sufficient vacuum, but each receptacle alsobeing mechanically inspected to determine damage to the most susceptiblepart thereof, the head of the receptacle, with provision for automaticrejection of unacceptable receptacles.

These and other objects-and advantages of the invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein like character references refer to thesame or sirnilar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side view partly in section of the vacuum inspection deviceillustrating a single inspection cell in pratial section and alsoillustrating the power means for the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the bead inspection device andillustrating the drive means therefore.

3,346,l l2. Patented Oct. 10, 1967 ice FIG. 4 is a top plan view on anenlarged scale of the infeed means of the apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 5-5 of FIG. 4and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view on an enlarged scale of the first beadinspection device.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 7-7 of FIG. 6and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 8-8 of FIG. 7and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately along line 9-9of FIG. 7 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view of the second bead inspectiondevice illustrating the motion multiplier switching means.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 11-11 of FIG.10 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken approximately along line 12-12 of FIG.10 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 13 is a bottom elevational view taken approximately along line13-13 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary top plan view on an enlarged scale of thereject station of the apparatus.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 15-15of FIG. 14 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 16-16of FIG. 15 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a reject memory pinmeans.

FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of the acceleratormechanism for accelerating the cans to be inspected into the inspectioncells.

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of a single vacuum inspection cell.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view on an enlarged scale of a vacuuminspection cell.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of an inspection cell takenapproximately along line 21-21 of FIG. 20 and looking in the directionof the arrows.

FIG. 22 is a ores-sectional view taken approximately along line 22-22 ofFIG. 21 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken approximately along line 23-23of FIG. 21 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGS. 24 and 25 are diagrammatic front elevational views illustratingcertain elements of the vacuum inspection means coacting with areceptacle being inspected.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, it willbe seen that one embodiment of the apparatus used in carrying out thenovel method is thereshown. In the embodiment shown, the apparatus isadapted for use in inspecting generally rectangular metal receptaclescontaining food stuffs such as meat and the like, although the apparatusmay be used to inspect other types of receptacles or containers.

The apparatus 10 comprises a supporting structure, designated generallyby the reference numeral 11, which includes a horizontally orientedlower plate 12 spaced above the floor of the building by legs 12a. Anupper plate 14 is spaced above and substantially parallel to the lowerplate 12 and is supported by suitable vertical support post 13.

The lower reduced end of a vertically disposed central bearing post ispositioned within an opening in the lower plate 12 and it will be seenthat the post 15 projects upwardly through an aperture in the upperplate 14 and is locked against movement relative thereto by suitablelock nuts as shown. A revolvable turret 16 is journalled on the centralbearing post 15 for revolving movement relative thereto and it ispointed out that the turret 16 supports the inspection cells (to bedescribed hereinbelow) which inspects the various receptacles todetermine if the contents thereof have been packed therein under asufficient vacuum.

Referring now to FIG. 3 it will be seen that the support structure alsoincludes a support frame 11a which supports the remaining components ofthe apparatus 10. The support frame 11a includes a plurality of verticalsupport elements 11b interconnected by a plurality of transverselyextending and longitudinally extending horizontal frame elements 110.

Drive means are also provided for driving the various components of theinspection apparatus and reference again is made to FIG. 2 wherein thepower means includes a relatively large electric motor 17 which issupported upon the plate 12 and which is provided with suitable gearreduction means having an output shaft 18. A drive sprocket 19 is keyedto the shaft 18 and a drive chain 20 is trained therearound and alsoaround a sprocket 21 aflixed to the turret 16 whereby when the motor 17is energized, the turret 16 will be revolved. It will also be noted thata relatively small sprocket 22 is also secured to the lower end of theturret 16 for movement therewith. A drive chain 24 is trained around thesprocket 22 and is also trained around a sprocket 25 which is keyed toan input shaft 26 of a gear box 27 that is suspended by a bracket 28from the support frame 11a. The gear box 27 is provided with an outputshaft 29 having a sprocket 30 keyed thereto and about which is trainedan endless drive chain 31.

A support member or bracket 32 which is mounted on the support frame 11ahas suitable bearings thereon (not shown) in which is journalled a shaft33 having a sprocket thereon (not shown) about which is trained thedrive chain 31. A sprocket 34'is keyed to shaft 33 for rotationtherewith and an endless chain 35 is trained around the sprocket 34 tobe driven thereby.

The drive chain 35 is also trained around a sprocket 36 that is keyed toa shaft 41 that is journalled in suitable bearings (not shown), carriedby the support frame 11a. The shaft 41 also has a smaller sprocket keyedto one end thereof spaced from sprocket 36 and a drive chain 39 istrained around the sprocket 40 and around a large-r sprocket 38 which isfixed or otherwise keyed to a shaft 37 journalled in suitable bearings(not shown) also carried by the support frame 11a. It will be noted thatthe shaft 41 is disposed below and slightly rear- The shaft 46 also hasa sprocket 50 keyed thereto for rotation therewith and a chain 51 istrained around the sprocket 50 and also around another sprocket 52 keyedto a shaft 53 supported in suitable bearings 54 carried by the supportframe 11a. A chain 55 is trained around a lsprocket (not shown) on shaft53 and also trained around another sprocket 56 which is keyed to a shaft57 of a gear box 58. It is pointed out that the gear box 58 has beveledgears therein which drive an output shaft 59', the latter having asprocket 60 keyed thereto and about which is trained a chain 61.

Referring now to FIG. 4 is will be seen that chain 61 is also trainedabout a pair of laterally spaced apart sprockets 62 each being keyed toone of a pair of shafts wardly of the shaft 37 but above and forwardlyof the shaft 33. It will also be noted that the sprocket 40 issubstantially smaller than the sprocket 38 and idler sprocket 42 engagesthe drive chain 39 to maintain the same in tightened relationship withrespect to the sprockets 38 and 40.

The shaft 33 has two pairs of relatively large identical sprockets 43affixed to opposite sides thereof for rotation therewith an deachsprocket 43 has a drive chain 44 trained thereover as best seen in FIG.3. Each drive chain 44 is also trained about one of a pair of identicallarger sprockets 45, each pair of which is keyed to opposite endportions of a shaft 46 which is journalled in suitable bearings (notshown) carried by the frame 11a. Each 1 chain 44 is also trained aboutone of a pair of identical sprockets 47 which are keyed to a shaft 48also journalled in suitable bearings carried by the frame 11a. Eachchain is also chained about one of a pair of idler sprockets 49revolvably mounted adjacent the lower mid-portion of the support frame11a.

63 that are disposed in substantially parallel relation adjacent therear of the apparatus 10.

It will be seen that each of the shafts 63 have a helical conveyormember aflixed thereto for rotation therewith. The respective front endsof the shafts 63 are each journalled in suitable axially spaced apartpillow bearings 65 Which are carried by the support frame 11a. The rearend portion of each shaft 63 is journalled in a movable bearing block 66having lateral slots therein (not shown) which slide upon suitable guideways 67 located on a pair of vertically spaced apart horizontal frameelements 11c of the support frame 11a. A bracket 68 extends between thehorizontal frame elements on which each pair of guide ways 67 arelocated and each bracket 68 is provided with a laterally projecting stud69 rigidly connected therewith and projecting through an aperture formedin the associated slide block bearing 66. A pair of helical springs 70are each disposed around one of the studs 69 and each spring has itsrespective ends bearing against the bracket 68 and against one of theslide block bearings 66 to normally urge the associated end of eachshaft 63 outwardly away from the generally longitudinal center lineplane of the apparatus 10. It will therefore be seen that each of thehelical conveyor members 64 is not only mounted for revolving movementbut is also capable of lateral shifting adjacent its rcarmost end toaccommodate variations in the receptacles being inspected.

Referring again to FIG. 3 it is pointed out that the shaft 46 also has acentrally located sprocket (not shown) keyed thereto and a chain 71 istrained about this sprocket and also about a sprocket 72 which is keyedto a shaft 73 supported in laterally spaced apart bearings 74 mounted onthe support frame 11a. A shaft 75 is spaced rearwardly of the shaft 73and disposed in substantially horizonal coplanar relation therewith andis revolvably journalled in suitable bearings 76 also carried by thesupport frame 11a. Each of the shafts 73 and 75 has a pair of enlargedgenerally cylindrically shaped conveyor engaging roll members 77 keyedthereon for rotation therewith so that each'pair of roll members onshaft 73 and 75 are disposed in longitudinally aligned relationship.Each pair of longitudinally aligned roll members 77 has an endless chaintype conveyor 78 trained therearound and it will be noted, as best seenin FIGS. 4 and 5, each chain type conveyor 78 is positioned below andslightly outwardly of one of the screw conveyor members 64.

Since the rear end of each shaft 63 may shift laterally to accommodatevariances in the receptacles being inspected, the forward end portion ofeach shaft 63 is actually constructed of two axially spaced apart shaftportions that are interconnected by a flexible coupling 79 preferablyformed of a yieldable flexible material and thereby permitting thisfront end of the shaft 63 to flex in response to any sidewise yieldingmovement of the rear end portion of the shaft.

It will be noted that the receptacles to be inspected are supported uponthe chain type conveyor 78 and are engaged by the screw conveyor members64- so that these receptacles are urged positively in a forwarddirection. Elongate substantially flat vertical guide rails 79 areprovided and each is supported from the support frame 11a and eachprojects upwardly from and adjacent one side of the upper run of one ofthe chain conveyors 78 as best seen in FIG. 5. An elongate substantiallyflat horizontally disposed guide rail 80 is supported from the verticalguide rail 79 by suitable brackets 81 and it will be seen that guiderail 80 prevents vertical displacement of the receptacles R while guiderails 79 prevent lateral displacement of the receptacles.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the receptacles to beinspected are conveyed as two lin s by the cooperative action of thechain and screw conveyor mechanisms and are discharged upon the floor 82of the support frame 11a. A pair of directional control mechanisms areprovided (not shown) and includes a pair of rubber rollers (not shown),each being actuated by each can as it is discharged from engagement withthe screw and chain conveyors. A cam (not shown) located on shaft 53actuates the swingable arm 83 which is pivotal about a vertical axis todirect the cans of each line alternately to one of a pair oflongitudinally extending passageways 84 located on opposite sides of themachine. It will therefore be seen that the two lines of cans that arefed into the apparatus are then diverted into four lines for inspectionof the bead of the can by the first bead inspection device.

It will be noted that each pair of chains 44 located adjacent one of thelongitudinal sides of the support frame 11 has a pair of elongatetransversely extending fingers 85 aflixed thereto for movementtherewith. These conveyor fingers 85 project inwardly of the supportframe 11a and engage the rear surface of each receptacle R as the latteris discharged by each cooperating pair of screw and chain conveyors tomove the receptacles along the passageways 84. Again it is pointed outthat the receptacles to be inspected are alternatively directed into oneof the passageways 84 each being operable to inspect the upper surfaceof the upper bead of the receptacle to be inspected. To this end it ispointed out that the type of receptacles which are to be inspected arepreferably made of a metallic material and may have any symmetricalshape such as parallelopiped, as illustrated by the receptacles R in thedrawings. These cans also have a beaded seam S located at the top andbottom wherein the respective top and bottom closure plates are appliedto the peripheral wall of the receptacle. When the product is packedinto the receptacles R, the top plate is then applied to the receptaclein sealing relation therewith and the beaded seam is then formed. Thepresent apparatus is not only operable to inspect the receptacle todetermine if the contents thereof Was packed under a proper vacuum butis also operable to very carefully and accurately inspect the beadedseam and specifically the upper beaded seam to determine the presence ofany damage to this seam. Since the manufacturer of the cans normallyapplies the bottom wall of the can to the peripheral wall to form theseam along the lower peripheral edge of the receptacle then themanufacturer therefore normally inspects this lower bead or seam fordamage. Therefore the present machine is adapted to inspect the upperonly although the machine many be modified for inspecting both the upperand lower bead of such a can or receptacle.

As pointed out above, the first bead inspection device 86 is comprisedof four identical inspection mechanisms each being disposed over one ofthe passageways 84 for inspecting the receptable which passestherebelow. Each of these bead inspection devices 86 includes asubstantially flat generally rectangular shaped horizontally disposedbase plate 87 which is mounted on the frame and spaced above the floor82 of one of the passageways 84. A rectangular shaped bearing block 88is positioned upon the base plate 87 and is secured thereto. A pair ofend plates 89 project upwardly from the bearing block 88 and are securedthereto by suitable bolt means. An elongate substantially flat generallyrectangular shaped top plate 90 extends between and is secured to theend plates 89 and is secured thereto by any conventional securing meanssuch as bolts and the like. A substantially generally rectangular shapedcover member 91 is secured to the top plate and suitable stud elements92 which project through the cover member 91 are secured thereto by wingnuts 93 as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9.

Each inspection device 86 has a pair of vertically disposedlongitudinally extending guide plates 94 secured to the base plate 87and depending therefrom as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. A cam supportingblock 95 is positioned substantially centrally between the guide plates94 and is suspended from the bearing block 88 by a pair of verticalsupport pins 96 that are slidable in sleeve bearings 97 carried by thebearing block 88. To this end it is pointed out that the bearings 97 arepositioned in bores formed in the base plate and bearing block andpermit vertical translation of the pins 96. The cam support block 95 isprovided with a central slot and .a set-up cam bar 98 is pressed intothe slot. The cam bar 98 has a substantially horizontally disposed lowercam surface 99, the respective leading and trailing ends 100 thereofbeing upwardly inclined. When a receptacle to be inspected is movedalong one of the passageways 84, the cam bar 98 is disposed inobstructing relation with respect to the upper surface of the bead ofthe can and will be engaged thereby to produce vertical translation ofthe cam 98 and the pins 96 associated therewith.

Each inspection device 86 is also provided with a pair of elongate camblocks 101 positioned between the guides 94 on opposite sides of the camsupporting block 95. Opposite ends of each of these cam blocks 101 issuspended from the top plate 90 by elongate vertically extending pins102, the pins being threaded at their upper ends and having suitablelock means such as nuts 103 secured thereto. These pins project throughsleeve bearings 104 carried by the bearing block 88 and base plate 87 topermit vertical translation thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 6 it will be seen that each cam block 101 has afront cam 105 and a rear cam 106 secured thereto. Each of these cams aresimilar in construction and are mirror images of each other. Each isformed of a plate which is bent to form an irregular shaped cam bar 107.It will be noted that the cam bar 107 for each front and rear pair ofcams has a substantially straight longitudinally extending lower camsurface 108, an oblique surface 109 continuous therewith, andterminating in a transverse surface 110, disposed substantially normalto the surface 108. It will be noted that while the respective surfaces108, 109 and 110 of each front and rear cam are disposed in the samehorizontal plane, the leading edge of the rear cam 106 and the trailingedge of the cam 106 are oppositely upwardly inclined, these inclinededge surfaces being designated by the reference numeral 111.

Each pair of front cams 105 are oppositely arranged and constructed asare each pair of rear cams 106. It will further be noted that thelongitudinal cam surfaces 108 of each pair of front cams are disposed inspaced apart parallel relation on opposite sides of the cam bar 98 asare the longitudinal portions 108 of the rear cams 106. Similarly theoblique portions 109 of the front pair of cams converge with respect tothe direction of travel of the receptacle to be inspected while theoblique portions 109 of the rear pair of cams diverge with respect toeach other. Each front and rear pair of cams are spaced apart withrespect to each other and each is adapted to be engaged by the uppersurface of the upper bead of the receptacle as the same is moved throughone of the passageways 84. It will further be noted that the respectivetrailing inclined edges 111 of the front pair cams 105 are positionedforwardly of the inclined trailing edge surface 100 of the cam bar 98.Similarly, the inclined leading edge surfaces 111 of the rear cams 106project beyond the corresponding inclined edge of the set up cam bar 98.The cam surface 99 of the cam bar 98, however, is disposed in a lowerhorizontal plane than the horizontal cam surfaces of the front and rearpairs of cams 105 and 106.

Switch actuating means in the form of a substantially flat plate 112suitably apertured to receive the support pins 102 associated with thefront pair of cams 105 is mounted on the front pair of pins 102 bycollars or nuts 113. Each of the front pair of pins 102 has a helicalspring 114 positioned therearound which bears against the lower surfaceof the top plate 90 and against the uppermost collar 113 to therebynormally urge the plate 112 in a downward direction.

The actuator plate 112 is downwardly offset as at 115 and terminates ina substantially flat second actuating portion 116. A low profile switch117 having an actuator button 118 is mounted on an end plate 89 andbelow the plate 112. A high profile switch 119 having an actuator arm120 is mounted on the upper plate 90, the actuator arm 120 beingswingable between an open and closed position and being positioned abovethe actuator portion 116. Movement of the arm 120 in an upward swingingdirection closes the switch 119 and conversely, the switch 119 is in theopen condition when the switch arm 120 is in the position illustrated inFIG. 7. A set up switch 121 also having an actuator button is mountedfrom the top plate 90 by bracket 122 and it will be seen that the switch121 is actuated by the rearmost pin 96 which supports the cam bar 98.Upward movement of the pin 96 closes the switch 121 and this switch isin a normally open condition when the cam bar is in the position asillustrated in FIG. 7. I It is pointed out that when a receptacle ispassed through one of the first bead inspection devices 86, the upperperipheral surface of the receptacle will engage the incline edgesurface of the front pair of cams 106 to produce vertical translation ofthe cams and vertical translation of the front and rear pair of pins 102associated therewith. If the receptacle has an upper bead surface whichprojects upwardly beyond the acceptable limits which is evidence ofdamage thereof, the actuator plate 112 will be moved upwardly to causesuflicient movement of the actuator portion 116 of the plate 112 to urgethe arm 120 of switch 119 upwardly to close switch 119. Further movementof the receptacle in a forward or downstream direction will result inthe upper surface of the bead engaging the cam bar 98 to producevertical translation thereof and to close the switch 121. The set upswitch 121 is interposed in controlling relation with respect to thecircuits of switches 119 and 117 and switch 121 must therefore be closedbefore the circuit can be energized. Therefore, when switch 119 isclosed and switch 121 is thereafter closed the circuit of switch 119will be energized and the mechanism associated with rejectingunacceptable cans will be actuated. It is pointed out that each rear cam106 is capable of movement independently of the other rear cam, whilethe front cams 105 can move independently of each other. However, eachfront and rear cam positioned on the same side of the cam bar 98 areinterconnected together for common movement.

Similarly, if a can or receptacle to be inspected is damaged so that theupper surface of the bead is disposed below the acceptable profilesurface, the bead of the can will engage the front and rear pairs ofcams 105 and 106 to produce some upward vertical translation of thefront and rear pair of pins 102 but an insufficient amount to move theactuator plate out of engaging relation with the actuator button 118 ofthe low profile switch 117. Therefore, this normally closed switch 117will remain closed and when the cam bar 98 is urged upwardly by theupper surface of the receptacle bead, the switch 121 will be closed andthe circuit of switch 117 will be energized to actuate the rejectmechanism associated with unacceptable cans.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the support frame 11a isprovided with a pair of rear air operator piston and cylinder units 123each being mounted adjacent one side of the support frame 11a andadjacent the zone occupied by the first set of bead inspection devices86. The piston rod 124 of these units is vertically oriented and ispositioned below one pair of the conveyor chains 44. Conduits 125 supplyair under pressure to the cylinder of the unit and these conduits arealso connected by suitable valving to a source of air under pressure.The valves (not shown) which are interposed in flow controlling relationwith respect to the air cylinder unit 123, are controlled by thecircuits of the low profile switch 117 and the high profile switch 119.Therefore, when the circuits for these respective switches areenergized, air will be supplied to the cylinder of the unit and thepiston rod 124 will be extended upwardly.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 14 and 17 it will be seen that the attachmentportion 85a of each conveyor finger 85 has an aperture therein and aswitch actuator pin 126 is positioned within the aperture of each fingerattachment portion 85a and is moveable therein. To this end, it ispointed out that the actuator pins 126 are normally positioned asillustrated in FIG. 17 so that the major length of the pin projectsbelow the upper run of the associated pair of conveyor chains 44.However, when the piston rod 124 of the unit 123 is extended it willstrike the large lower portion of the actuator pin 126 of the conveyorfinger just forwardly of the can or receptacle which has caused thecircuit of the low profile switch or high profile switch to be energizedand the pin 126 associated therewith will be urged upwardly.

Referring again to FIG. 1 it will be seen that while a pair ofpassageways are provided for the cans to be inspected as the same arepassed through the first feed or seam inspection devices 86, each pairof rows of receptacles adjacent each side of the apparatus 10 is urgedinto single file order by suitable oblique guides 127. Therefore, a pairof second bead inspection devices 128 are positioned to inspect thesides and lower surface of the upper bead of the receptacle by thedevices 128.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 3, 10, 11, 12 and 13 it will be seen that eachinspection device 128 includes an upper plate 129 and a lower plate 130which are secured to the support frame 11a in vertically spaced aparthorizontal relationship. The lower plate 130 is spaced above the floorof the apparatus that defines the passageways below the respective pairof inspection devices 128. Two pairs of generally rectangular shapedhousings 131 extend between and are secured to the upper plate 129 andthe lower plate 130, and these housings are arranged in front and rearpairs. Each housing 131 has an elongate vertically disposed sleeve shaft132 positioned therein and this sleeve shaft is journalled for rotationin suitable ball bearings 133 interposed betwen the associated housingand the sleeve shaft. An elongate rod shaft 134 having an enlarged head135 at its lowermost end is associated with and projects through eachsleeve shaft 132 for rotation relative thereto. Each sleeve shaft 132projects below the lower plate 130 and has a sensing finger 136 securedthereto for movement therewith. Similarly, each rod shaft 135 has asensing finger 137 secured thereto for movement therewith. The sensingfingers 136 and 137 associated with each concentrically arranged pair ofrod and sleeve shafts are similar in shape, and each is provided with acam engaging sensing surface which engages the upper bead of the can tobe inspected. Thus each sensing finger 136 has a sensing surface 136afor engagement with the outer exterior or side surface of the upper beadof the receptacle while sensing finger 137 has a sensing finger 137a forengagement with the lower surface of the upper bead and for engagementwith the upper marginal vertical surface of the receptacle.

The upper end portion of each sleeve shaft 132 projects upwardly beyondthe upper plate 129 and an upper generally rectangular shaped block 138is afiixed thereto for movement therewith. Each rod shaft 134 alsoprojects upwardly beyond the upper plate 129 and beyond the block 138associated with the sleeve shaft 132. This upper end portion of each rodshaft 134 has a pivot block 139 keyed thereto for movement therewith.Each pivot block 139 has a bracket 140 secured to one side thereof andprojecting upwardly therefrom and each bracket 140 has an electricalswitch 141 mounted thereon.

It will also be noted that each bracket 140 has a smaller bracket 142secured to the lower edge portion thereof and which projects outwardlyand downwardly therefrom. A small positioning stud is afiixed to theside of pivot block 138 and a helical spring 143 is positioned aroundthe stud and bears against the inner surface of the bracket 142 andagainst one longitudinal edge of the lower pivot block 138. Each springmember 43 tends to urge relative pivoting movement betwen each pair ofblocks 139 and 138 in a predetermined direction.

The outer or free end of each upper pivot block 138 has a verticallyextending spring engaging pin 144 afiixed thereto and projectingupwardly therefrom. Opposite ends of a helical spring 145 engage thepins 144 associated with each front and rear pair of upper pivot blocks139. Thus as best seen in FIG. one coil spring 145 extends between andinterconnects the forward pair of upper pivot blocks 139 and the otherspring interconnects the rear pair of upper pivot blocks 139 and thesesprings tend to return these pivot blocks to the position illustrated inFIG. 10. These springs 145 cooperate with the springs 143 to return eachpair of lower and upper pivot blocks 138 and 139 respectively to theposition illustrated in FIG. 10 and to align each upper and lower pairof pivot blocks with respect to each other. Thus not only is relativemovement between each associated pair'of upper pivot blocks 139yieldably resisted but relative movement between each upper and lowerpair of pivot blocks is also yield ably resisted.

Referring now to FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 it will be seen that the rearmostpair of fingers 137 are provided with forward extensions that areslotted as at 146 while the forwardmost pair of upper fingers 136 areprovided with rearward extensions having a depending pin 147 securedthereto. It will be seen that the pin 147 on each forward pair of uppersensing fingers 136 is positioned within the slot 146 of one of the rearpair of lower fingers 137 located on the same side thereof. It willtherefore be seen that not only are the sensing fingers interconnectedtransversely by yieldable means, but the lower sensing finger of eachrear pair is interconnected by a slot and pin connection with the uppersensing finger of one of the front pair of sensing fingers.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 and 12 it will be seen that each lower piovtblock 138 has a vertically extending opening 138a therein adjacent itsfree end and that each upper pivot block 139 also has an opening 139atherein which is normally disposed in registering relation with respectto the recess 138 of the associated lower pivot block. An elongate pin148 is loosely disposed within the registering recesses 138a and 139a ofeach pair of upper and lower pivot blocks and each pin has an enlargedflat disc shaped head 149. Each switch 141 has an actuating button 141awhich is disposed in engaging relation with respect to the upper surfaceof the associated head 149 of the actuator pin 148. It will therefore beseen that any relative pivotally movement between each upper and lowerpair of pivot blocks will cause the head of the pin 149 to be tilted orcocked which condition results in closing the actuating button 14101 ofthe switch 141.

Referring again to FIGS. 11 and 12 it will be seen that a pair ofcircuit swtiching switches 150 are each mounted on one of a pair oflaterally spaced apart substantially parallel vertical plates 131 whichextend between and are interconnected to the upper and lower plates 129and 130 of each inspection device 128. Each switch 150 has an actuatorbutton 152 which is disposed in close proximity to the upper surface ofan elongate actuator arm 153 which is pivoted by pivot 154 to one of theplates 131. Each actuator arm 153 has a depending cam 155- integrallyformed therewith, each cam 155 having a downwardly and rearwardlyinclined cam surface 156 which is seen in disposed in obstructingrelation with respect to the upper portion of the can to be inspected.Each of the circuit-switching switches 150 serves to de-energize thecircuit to one of front switches 141 while simultaneously energizing theassociated rear switch 141, and it is pointed out that the switches 150are normally in a neutral or open condition when the actuator arm 153 isin the position illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. However, when the uppersurface of the can to be inspected engages the inclined surfaces of theactuator arms of each pair of circuit switching switches 150, thecircuit switching switches will de-energize one of the front switches141 and will simultaneously energize one of the rear pair of switches141. The rear end of the arm 153 will be urged upwardly about its pivot154 thus closing the switches. When this occurs, the reject circuitassociated with each inspection device 128 will be energized in theevent that any of the switches 141 are closed.

Closing of the switches 141 occurs when one of the upper or lower pairof sensing fingers 136 and 137 respectively associated with each switch141 moves over an irregularity in the upper seam or bead of thereceptacle to be inspected thus producing relative pivoting movementbetween each associated pair of upper and lower pivot blocks 138 and139. The displacement of one of the sensing fingers by such anirregularity, even though small, will be transmitted through either theassociated sleeve shaft or rod shaft to one of the upper or lower pivotblocks wherein this motion is multiplied because of the length of therespective lever arms of each pivot block. Tilting of the pin andassociated head 149 will close the switch 141 associated therewith andthe reject circuit operatively associated with the inspection device 128will be energized.

Referring again to FIG. 3 it will be seen that another pair of aircylinder and piston units 157 are mounted on opposite sides of thesupporting frame 11a forwardly of the units 123 and adjacent theinspection devices 128. Each of these units includes a piston rod 158which is vertically disposed and when extended, adapted to engage one ofthe actuator pins 126 to urge the same upwardly. It will also be notedthat each unit is connected by suitable conduits 159 to a source of airunder pressure (not shown) and functions in the manner of the units 123.Therefore, when the reject circuit of anyone of the four switches 141 isclosed, the piston rod 158 will be projected upwardly to strike theactuator pin 126 carried by the conveyor finger 85 located justforwardly of the can being inspected and the actuator pin 126 will beheld in its upward position by its frictional coaction with theattachment portion 85a. It will therefore be seen that if the uppersurface of the upper bead of the receptacle being inspected is damagedor if the side or lower surface of the bead is damaged, both of theinspection devices are operative to cause one of the pins 126 to beshifted vertically upwardly.

The reject mechanism includes a pair of air blast heads 160 each beingconnected by suitable conduits 161 to a source of air under pressure andeach being mounted upon the support frame 11a just forwardly of theinspection devices 128. Each air blast head 160 is provided with aplurality of nozzles 162, as best seen in FIG. 16, these nozzles havingtheir orifices facing inwardly towards the center of the frame anddirected against the exterior surface of the can being inspected. Itwill therefore be seen that when air is supplied to the air blast head160, the receptacles will be blown inwardly into a recess 163 formed inthe fioor of the support frame 11a as best seen in FIG. 1. A verticallydisposed baffle plate 164 is provided to limit inward movement of eachreceptacle as it is discharged.

The means for controlling each of the air blast heads 160 to reject adefected can comprises a pair of microswitches 165 each having anormally open switch arm 166 disposed in obstructing relation withrespect to any of the actuator pins 126 that are disposed in the upwardposition as best seen in FIG. 15. Each microswitch 165 is connected incontrolling relation to the circuit that controls the valve (not shown)that is disposed in flow controlling relation with respect to theconduit 161. Thus when the circuit to the valve is energized, the valvewill be opened supplying air to the air blast head 160 and airdischarged through the nozzles 1 62 will impel the cams laterallyinwardly and through the discharge opening 163. A chute 16401 isprovided to collect the cans as they are discharged through the opening163 as best seen in FIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 14 it will be seen that guide means areprovided for directing the two rows of receptacles into a single rowformovement into the turret 16. This guide means includes two sets of guiderails 167, each set communicating atits rear end with one of thepassageways associated with one of the inspection devices 128. It willbe noted that each side of guide rails directs the can movingtherebetween inwardly towards the longitudinal center line of thesupporting frame 11 whereby the sets of guide rails converge towardseach other in the direction of travel of the receptacles. Each set ispro vided with a horizontally disposed upper retaining member 168 whichprevents vertical displacement of the receptacles being inspected.

The receptacles to be inspected are conveyed in supported relationtowards a turret by suitable endless conveyor belt 169 which is trainedaround a roller 170 at is forward end, the roller 170 being keyed orfixed to the shaft 41 for rotation therewith. The conveyor belt 169 isalso trained about a rear roller 171 provided wtih a shaft that isjournalled in suitable bearings carried by the support frame 11a. Itwill, therefore, be seen that the converging rows of the cans are movedtowards the conveyor belt 169 by the conveyor fingers and are then movedby the conveyor belt 169 to an impeller device which impels thereceptacles into the turret 16.

The impeller mechanism includes a rotary impeller member 172 which isrevolvably mounted on the shaft 173 as best seen in FIG. 18. The shaft173 which is vertically disposed is interconnected by suitable gearingof a gear box 174 to the shaft 37 as best seen in FIG. 18. The gear box174 is mounted upon the support frame 11a by a bracket 175. The impellermember 172 is provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting impelledarms 175 each having a roller 176 revolvably mounted at its free end.Referring again to FIG. 18 it will be seen that as the impeller member172 is revolved, the impeller arms 175 will engage and impel thereceptacles R into each inspection cell of the turret 16.

Referring again to FIG. 3 it will be seen that means are provided forreturning the actuator pins 126 to their downwardly disposed normalposition as the conveyor chains 44 located at opposite sides of theframe 11a begin their downward run. This means includes a pair ofelongate curved cam members 177 each being secured by suitable boltmeans to the support frame 11a and each presenting a rearwardly anddownwardly facing curved cam surface disposed in obstructing relationwith respect to any of the actuating pins that are disposed in an upwardor operative position. Therefore, any of these actuating pins that aredisposed in an upwardly operative position will engage the cam member177 associated therewith and will be cammed downwardly as best seen inFIG. 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 19-25 it will be seen that the turret 16is comprised of a plurality of the inspection cells designated generallyby the reference numeral 179 and each being adapted to inspect thevacuum packed receptacle R to determine if the receptacle has beenpacked under a suitable vacuum.

To this end, it is pointed out that in the conventional rectangularshaped cans or receptacles in which food pro-ducts such as processedmeat are packed, the contents of the can are packed while subjected to apartial vacuum so that the interior of the can or receptacle at the timethe receptacle is filled will be subjected to a negative pressure. Whenthe receptacle is subjected to a negative pressure, the sides of thereceptacle will be collapsed slightly inwardly to form concavities atopposite side surfaces of the cans. It is desirable to create asuflicient partial vacuum within the packed receptacle to minimize anytendency of spoilage of the contents of the receptacle. In the eventthat there is a leak in the receptacle, or in the event that aninsuflicient negative pressure is used, the sides of the receptacle willnot have the pair of concave collapsed sides then such a packed canwould be unacceptable for consumer sale. Therefore, the vacuum measuringcells are adapted to determine if a minimum adequate vacuum or negativepressure actually exists within the seal interior of the container. Thusthe crosssectional width of the sealed receptacle in the zone of theconcavities are inspected to determine if the sides are collapsedinwardly a suflicient amount to indicate the presence of an adequatepartial vacuum. If an insufficient partial vacuum or negative pressureexists within the interior of the can, the sides of the can will not becollapsed inwardly the desired predetermined amount.

Referring now to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the turret 16 includes a.revolvable base plate 178 upon which are mounted the plurality ofoutwardly facing inspecting cells 179. Each inspection cell 179 includesa base plate 180 which is mounted on the support plate 178 by suitablebolt means or the like. Each inspection cell also includes a lower plate181 which is rigidly connected with the base plate by a rear wall 182and upstanding walls 183. The rear wall of each inspection cell projectsupwardly beyond the floor plate 181 and is provided at its upper endwith a top plate 184 as best seen in FIG. 19.

Referring again to FIG. 2 it will be seen that the turret 16 is alsoprovided with a lower cam plate 185 and an upper cam plate 186 forrevolving movement therewith. The lower cam plate 185 is provided with acontinuous upwardly facing eccentric cam track or groove 187 thereinadjacent the periphery thereof and the upper cam plate 186 is alsoprovided with an upwardly facing continuous eccentric cam track orgroove 188 therein adjacent the periphery thereof. The cam tracks 187and 188 are of different configuration with cam track 187 having one lowspot thereon (not shown) while cam track 188 has low spots thereon (notshown).

Each inspection cell 179 has a lower elongate horizontally disposedthrust rod 189 mounted for inward and outward shifting movement reltaiveto the cell 179 and projecting through the rear wall 182 as best seen inFIG. 23. A cam roller 190 is revolvably mounted on a shaft 191 carriedby the inner end of each lower shaft 189. Each inspection cell 179 alsoincludes an upper thrust rod 192 disposed above and parallel to thelower thrust rod 189 and this upper rod also projects through the rearplate 182. The inner end of the upper rod 192 is provided with a camroller 193 which is revolvably mounted on a shaft 194 carried by theupper rod 192. It will be seen that inward and outward movement of thelower thrust rod 189 is in response to the coaction of the roller 190with the cam groove or track 187 and similarly, the movement of theupper thrust rod 192 is in response to the coaction of its associatedroller with the cam track or groove 188.

Each inspection cell 179 is also provided with a front plate 182a and itwill be seen from FIGS. 20 and 23 is provided with suitable apertureseach having slide bearings 195 therein for receiving the forward endportions of the thrust rods 189 and 192 therethrough. A slide block 196having a bore 197 therethrough is slidably 13 mounted upon the lowerthrust rod 189 as best seen in FIG. 23 and this slide block 196 has akeyway 198 therein into which projects a key 199 carried by the lowerthrust rod 189. A helical spring 200 is interposed between the slideblock 196 and the slide bearing 195 associated with the lower thrust rod189.

The slide block 196 has a pair of similar gear racks 201 integrallyformed with the lower opposite-longitudinal edges thereof as best seenin FIGS. 19 and 21 and each rack is disposed in meshing engagement withthe circumferentially arranged gear teeth 202 formed on one of a pair ofvertical idler shafts 203. It will be noted that the idler shafts 203are journalled in the base plate 180 and also journalled in shoulders182k integrally formed with the rear plate 182. Each idler shaft 203 hasa gear 204 keyed thereto for rotation therewith and each gear. 204 isdisposed in meshing engagement with one of a pair of gears 205 eachbeing carried by one of a pair of drive shafts 206 and 207. It will beseen that shafts 206 and 207 are vertically disposed each beingjournalled in the base plate 180 and projecting upwardly through thefloor plate 181 and the top plate 184.

Shaft 207 has a rotary cam 208 afiixed thereto for rotation therewithand cam 208 engages the cam face of a sensing finger 209 which isrevolvably mounted on a. shaft 210 that extends between the floor plate181 and the top plate 184. Referring now to FIG. 25 it will be seen thatthe cam 208 has a cam surface 208a which engages the cam surface 209a ofsensing finger 209 when revolved to urge the finger 209 in a clockwisedirection as viewed in FIG. 25. It is pointed out that the sensingfinger 209 is provided with spring biasing means (not shown) whichnormally urge the finger in a counterclockwise direction as viewed inFIG. 25.

Shaft 206 is also provided with a rotary cam 211 which is aflixedthereto for rotation therewith. This cam 211 coacts with a sensingfinger member 212 which is journalled on a shaft 213 that extendsbetween the floor plate 181 and the top plate 184. It will be noted thatthe sensing finger member 212 is of generally U-shaped configuration andincludes an outer finger 214 and an inner finger 215. The terminal endportion of the inner finger 215 is enlarged and defines a shoulder 216as best seen in FIGS. 24 and 25. It will also be noted that at least aportion of the camming surface of the cam 211 is of volute configurationto define a shoulder 217. Referring now to FIG. 22 it will be seen thata small coil spring 218 is positioned around the shaft 213 and has oneend projecting into an aperture therein and has the other end hookedover the guide plate 219 to normally urge the shaft and sensing finger212 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 24 and 25. Thusit will be seen that the sensing finger member 212 is normally urgedtowards the respective concave surface of the can or receptacle to beinspected. A guide member 219 is afiixed to the floor plate 181 and itwill also be seen that another guide plate 220 is also affixed to thefloor plate and is spaced laterally from the guide member 219. Thus areceptacle or can to be inspected will be urged inwardly between theguide members 219 and 220 and will be supported upon the floor plate181. A spring urged pressure plate 243 is shiftably mounted on the guideplate 219 and serves to aid in the proper positioning of the receptaclebetween the sensing fingers.

When a receptacle or can is inspected within each inspection cell 179,the can will be impelled inwardly between the guide members 219 and 220and the yieldable pressure plate will cooperate with these guide membersto properly align the can. As the turret is revolved, the upper andlower thrust rods 192 and 189 respectively will be urged outwardly bycoaction of the thrust rod rollers with the cam grooves in the upper andlower cam plate. These thrust rods will be moved outwardly or in adirection away from the center of the turret and it will be seen whenthe lower thrust rod is extended outwardly, the

slide block 196 will also be moved outwardly. Movement of the slideblock 196 revolves the shafts 206 and 207. To this end it is pointed outthat revolving movement of the shaft 207 revolves the cam 208 associatedtherewith and this cam 208 swings the sensing finger 209 inwardlyagainst one concave surface of the cam to shift the same against theinner finger 215. Since the sensing finger member 212 is normally urgedinwardly towards the adjacent concave surface of the can, the finger 215will be disposed into engaging relation with the concave surface of thecan.

The cam 211 will then be rotated in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in FIG. 24 upon outward movement of the slide block 96 to theposition illustrated in FIG. 25. If the contents of the receptacle werepacked under a sufiicient vacuum, the inner finger 215 which is heldinto engaging relation with the concave side of the can will have itsshoulder 216 disposed out of obstructing relation with respect to theshoulder 217 on the cam 211. Thereafter the return of the slide block196 which results from retraction of the lower thrust rod 189 and thebiasing effect of the spring 200 will result in the cam 211 beingrotated in the opposite direction. The acceptable can would then beready to be released at the station for acceptable cans.

However, in the event that there is an insufficient vacuum in the can orreceptacle, the inner finger 215 will not be urged inwardly a sufficientdistance to permit clearance of the cam shoulder 217 with the shoulder216 thereon.

The ejection mechanism for ejecting an acceptable can from eachinspection cell comprises a slide ejector plate member 221 which isslidably mounted in grooves 222 formed by suitable track members 223secured to the underside of the floor plate 181. To this end, it will benoted that the track member 223 also define a second pair of grooves 224which are disposed below the grooves 222. It will be noted that thefloor plate 181 has a central elongate opening 225 therein and theejector plate 221 has a can engaging element 226 integrally formed withthe slide plate 221 and projecting upwardly therefrom through theopening 225. The receptacle engaging ele ment 226 is provided with asmall pin 227 which limits forward movement of the slide plate 221 withrespect to the lower plate 181. Referring now to FIG. 22 it will be seenthat the ejector slide plate 221 is provided with a locking notch 228adjacent the lower forward surface thereof.

An ejector rack plate 229 is slidably positioned within the grooves 224for sliding movement therein and this rack plate has a downwardly facingelongate rack bar 230 integrally formed therewith and dependingcentrally therefrom. The forward end of the rack plate 229 has a recessand a latch element 231 is pivotally connected thereto by pivot 232 asbest seen in FIG. 22. This latch element 231 has a rearwardly projectingactuating portion 233 integrally formed therewith which is engaged by asmall leaf spring 234 also carried by the rack plate for normally urgingthe latch element 231 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG.22.

The upper thrust 192 has a small rack 235 integrally formed therewithwhich engages a small pinion 236 carried by a shaft 237 which extendsbetween and is journalled in a pair of forwardly projecting supportelements carried by the rear plate 182. The shaft 237 has a relativelylarge gear 238 keyed thereto for rotation therewith and gear 238 isdisposed in meshing relation with the rack 230. It will therefore beseen that when the upper thrust rod 192 is moved outwardly, the gear 238will be rotated to shift the rack bar 230 in its track grooves 224 in arearward direction in opposite or inward retraction of the rod 192causes outward movement of the rack bar.

It will be seen that the shafts 206 and 207 are each provided withrotary cams 239 thereon for rotation therewith. A latch actuating bar240 is also suitably apertured and is slidably mounted on the shafts 206and 207 for vertical translation relative thereto. This latch bar 204has a pair of threaded apertures therein each receiving one of a pair ofthreaded bolts 241 to permit adjustment of the bolts relative to thelatch bar. The latch bar 240 also has a centrally located threadedaperture therein for receiving a latch actuator bolt 242 therethrough,the latter being vertically adjustable and pro-vision for locking thesame in place by means of a suitable lock nut 242a;

It will be seen, as noted in FIGS. 21 and 22, that rotation of theshafts 206 and 207 causes rotation of the rotary cams 239. The uppersurfaces of these cams define the cam faces thereof which are engaged bythe bolts 241. Therefore, rotation of the rotary cams 239 producesvertical translation of the latch bar 240. This vertical translation ofthe latch bar causes pivotal movement of the latch element 231 since theactuating portion 233 thereof is engaged by the latch actuator bolt 242.To this end it will be noted that when the latch bar 240 is shiftedupwardly, the latch element 231 will be urge out of engaging relationwith respect to the notch 228 in the ejector slide plate 221 and willthereby permit relative movement between the slide plate and the rackplate.

During the inspection operation, the receptacles to be inspected will befed by any suitable conventional conveying means such as belt or chainconveyors into the infeed mechanism, illustrated on the right of FIG. 1.In the embodiment shown, two continuous lines of receptacles will be fedinto the infeed mechanism and each receptacle R will be moved insupporting relation upon one of the chain conveyors 78 and will beengaged at its upper inner longitudinal edge portion by one of the screwor helical conveyor members 64 and urged outwardly against the guiderail '79. Each can will therefore be positively fed towards the firstset of bead inspection devices 86.

It is pointed out above, the receptacles will be directed into one offour passageways 84, each passageway being positioned below andassociated with one of the first bead inspection devices 86. As eachreceptacle is moved below each inspection device 86, it will be seenthat two closely spaced apart upper surface portions of the bead will beengaged by the leading edge 111 of the rear cams 106 and continuedmovement of the can or receptacle will result in the entire continuousupper surface of the continuous generally rectangular shaped upper beadto be progressively engaged by the respective surfaces of the front andrear cams. Thus the entire continuous generally rectangular uppersurface of the upper head of the receptacle is engaged and sensed by thefront and rear cams to detect any deformation thereto.

If the receptacle has an upper bead surface which projects upwardlybeyond the acceptable limits, this deformation will be sensed by thecams and the actuator plate 112 will be moved out of contact with theswitch actuator button 118 to open the switch and to also causesufficient movement of the actuator portion 116 of the plate 112 and tourge the arm 120 of the switch 119 upwardly to close the switch 119. Itwill be noted that movement of the receptacle in this forward directionwill result in the cam bar 98 being engaged by the bead of thereceptacle to cause vertical movement of the cam bar in verticaltranslation of the pins 96 to close the switch 121 so that the circuitof switch 119 will be energized.

Conversely when a receptacle has a bead deformed downwardly, one of thefront or rear cams located on one longitudinal side of the cam bar 98will drop downwardly thus causing switch 117 to be closed by theactuator member 112 and when switch 121 is closed, the circuit of switch117 will be energized. When this occurs,

or when the circuit of switch 119 is energized, one of the air pistonsand cylinder units located on opposite sides of the support frame 11awill be actuated to move one of the actuator pins 126 upwardly intoposition for actuating the microswitch that Controls the ejectormechanism.

The receptacles are thereafter moved through the second set ofinspection devices 128 and as each receptacle is moved along thepassageway associated with one of the inspection devices 128 each upperand lower pair of sensing fingers will engage the outer exterior or sidesurface of the upper bead. As the receptacle is moved between the foursets of sensing fingers, any irregularity or deformation along the outeror side surface of the upper head or along the lower surface thereofwill result in relative pivoting movement between a pair of the sensingfingers and the associated upper and lower pivot blocks thereof. Thisresults in tilting of the pin 148 and closure of the switch thereof.When this occurs, one of the air cylinder and piston units 157 will beactuated to move an actuator pin upwardly into a position for closingthe micro-switch associated with the air blast heads. It will thereforebe seen that in the event that there is any deformation or damage to anyof the continuous surfaces of the upper bead, this damage will be sensedand detected by one of the inspection devices to move a pin 126 intoposition for ejecting the unacceptable can. This ejection action of theunacceptable cans will be located at a point remote from the inspectiondevice and will be in response to a determination of damage to the beadof the receptacle. These defective receptacles will be impelled by theair blast heads out of their predetermined path of travel and those cansor receptacles which have no damage to the beads thereof will becontinued in their predetermined path of travel towards the turret 16.

It will be noted as the receptacles approach the turret 16, the tworespective lines will be directed into a single row for movement intothe turret 16. The impeller mechanism impels each can or receptacle intoone of the inspection cells 189 whereby the receptacle is inspected todetermine if the contents therein have been packed under a sufiicientvacuum. As each receptacle is urged into one of the inspection cells,the receptacle will engage the receptacle or cam engaging element 226which is integrally formed with the slide plate 221 and will cause theslide plate to be moved inwardly. As the turret is revolved, th upperand lower thrust rods 192 and 189 respectively will be urged outwardly.It will be seen that this causes rotation of shafts 206 and 207 wherebythe receptacle will be engaged by the sensing fingers 209 and 212.

In the event that the contents of the receptacle have been packedtherein under a sufficient vacuum, the sides of the receptacle which areengaged by the sensing fingers will have been collapsed inwardly asufficient distance to permit movement of the shoulder 217 of the cam211 by the shoulder 216 on the finger 215. Thereafter upon retraction ofthe rods 189 and 192, the shafts 206 and 207 will be rotated in thereturn direction which results in retraction of the slide block 196. Thelatch bar 240 will also be lowered whereby the latch element 231 of theejector rack plate 229 will be urged into engaging relation with theslide plate member 221. As the rod 192 is retracted, it will be seenthat the ejector rack plate will be urged outwardly and since the slideplate member 221 is latched thereto, this plate will also be moved in anoutward direction and the engaging element 226 thereof will urge thereceptacle outwardly at the acceptance station.

In the event that the interior of the receptacle has not been subjectedto a sufiicient negative pressure, the crosssectional dimension throughthe sides of the receptacle that are normally concave will be of asufficient magnitude to cause the shoulder 217 of the cam 211 to engagethe shoulder 216 on the finger 215. Therefore, when the rod 189retracts, the slide block 196 will be locked into engagement withrespect to the shafts 206 and 207. The receptacle will be retained inthe inspection cell and will be revolved beyond the acceptance station.As the rod 192 is retracted, the latch bar 240 will be in the upwardposition to urge the latch element 231 out of locking engagement withrespect to the locking notch of slide plate member 221. The ejector rackplate 229 will therefore be

1. THE METHOD OF INSPECTING SYMMETRICALLY SAHPED CONTAINERS HAVING ATLEAST ONE CONTINOUS PERIPHERAL BEAD THEREON TO DETECT DAMAGE ORDEFORMATION TO THE BEAD, SAID METHOD COMPRISING, MOVING A CONTAINER TOBE INSPECTED IN A PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL THROUGH A FIRSTINSPECTION ZONE, AND DURING TRAVEL THROUGH SAID FIRST INSPECTION ZONE,PREVENTING ROTATION OF A CONAINER WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENGAGINGDIFFERENT PARTS OF CONTINUOUS SURFACE PORTION OF THE BEAD WITHMECHANICAL SENSING MEDIA TO DETECT ANY DEFORMATION THERETO, CONTINUINGMOVEMENT OF THE CONTAINER IN SAID PREDETERMINED PATH OF TRAVEL THROUGH ASECOND INSPECTION ZONE, AND DURING TRAVEL THROUGH SAID SECOND INSPECTIONZONE PREVENTING ROTATION OF SAID CON-